Gideon Taothing and Another v. State of Manipur and 4 Others

O R D E R 28-02-2025

[1] Present Mr. D. Julius Riamei, learned counsel for the petitioners; Mr. Niranjan Sanasam, learned Government Advocate for State respondent Nos. 1, 2 & 3; and Mr. A. Rommel, learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent Nos. 4 & 5. [2] By the present petition, the petitioners approach this Court for directing proper implementation of MGNREGS in Tamenglong Villages including the two village groups, i.e. the council group and the authority group and for directing respondent No. 2 for disposal of the representation dated 20-02-2024 submitted by the Tamenglong Village Council to the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong. It is submitted that the representation is still pending. [3] On 04-02-2025, Mr. D. Julius Riamei, learned counsel for the petitioners, suggested that the writ petition may be disposed of by directing

the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong to dispose of the representation dated 20-02-2024 submitted by the petitioners. [4] On that day, Mr. N. Ibotombi, learned senior counsel for respondent Nos. 4 & 5, took some time for instructions. [5] Mr. Niranjan Sanasam, learned Government Advocate for the State respondents, has no objection to the prayer of the petitioners for disposal of the pending representation. [6] However, Mr. A. Rommel, learned counsel for respondent Nos. 4 & 5, has objected to the prayer for consideration and disposal of the representation and prays for some time for filing counter affidavit. [7] This Court has perused the material on record and considered the submissions made at the Bar. The writ petition has two main prayers, one for proper implementation of MGNREGS work in Tamenglong Villages and the other for disposal of the representation dated 20-02-2025 submitted by the petitioners. Since the petitioners are not pressing the first prayer at the moment and confined to second prayer for disposal of the representation dated 20-02-2025, this Court is of the opinion that the writ petition can be disposed of by passing an innocuous order directing the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong to dispose of the said representation submitted by the petitioners [8] Accordingly, respondent No. 2, i.e. Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong is directed to dispose of the pending representation dated 20-02-2024 submitted by the petitioners within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order by passing a speaking order as per

rule and in presence of the representatives of the petitioners as well as respondent Nos. 4 & 5. [9] The petitioners and the respondent Nos. 4 & 5 may submit additional submission/objection to the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong within a period of one month. [10] It is made clear that the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong shall hear the representatives of petitioners as well as respondent Nos. 4 & 5 before passing a speaking order. [11] The writ petition is disposed of. [12] MC(WP(C)) No. 303 of 2024 is also disposed of.

JUDGE Victoria

NINGOM BAM VICTORIA by NINGOMBAM VICTORIA Date: 2025.03.05 14:32:14 +05'30'

Item Nos. 37-38 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No. 341 of 2024 Gideon Taothing & Anr. …Petitioners - Versus - State of Manipur & 4 Ors. …Respondents With B E F O R E HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA